Thailand’s Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office on Wednesday, throwing the country into fresh turmoil and creating deeper uncertainty about the political future of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.
In a 5-4 verdict, the court ruled that Mr. Srettha, who took office almost a year ago, violated moral and ethical standards set out in the constitution because he appointed an ally of his benefactor, Thaksin Shinawatra, to his cabinet.
Mr. Srettha was seen as a figurehead prime minister, with Mr. Thaksin playing a powerful behind-the-scenes role.
Wednesday’s ruling served as a warning to the ambitions of Mr. Thaksin, himself a former prime minister and long a foil to Thailand’s royalist-military establishment.
Last week, the same court ordered the disbandment of the Move Forward Party, a progressive party that won last year’s election but was blocked from forming a government.
Persons:
Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Wednesday’s
Organizations:
Thailand’s Constitutional, Party
Locations:
Thailand’s